Still Using Fossil Fuel? Try Riding a Bike Instead

Category: Philippines, bike to work, bikes, environment, happy biker — pixelus @ 1:47 pm — post

May 18, 2008

A headline in GMANews.tv proclaims that “Gas prices push up sales, repairs of bicycles in US.” I just hope this trend continues and not only there, but also anywhere else around the world and specially here in the Philippines.

The report says that because of skyrocketing gas prices, among other things, more and more people are bringing out their old bikes or buying a new one for the first time. This certainly augurs well for bike manufacturers and bike shops. In a way this is good for the bike industry and also for those individuals who would like to have a lifestyle change for the better. The bicycle is perfect for short trips, those usually less than 3 kilometers. Cycling instead of driving a car not only saves gas but also provides excellent exercise opportunities.

Here in Marikina where I reside, there has been as consistent rise annually of bike commuters. A report from the PCIJ sourced from the Marikina Ciy Bikeways Office shows this:

Marikina’s Bicycle Riders Source: Marikina Bikeways Office
YEAR	TOTAL NO. OF INTERSECTIONS (counted in 14 hours)	TOTAL TRAFFIC	NO. OF BICYCLES	BICYCLES AS % OF TOTAL TRAFFIC
1999	11	310,424	13,183	4.25
2002	17	421,935	25,946	5.36
December 2005	17	503,692	41,382	8.22
2006	17	503,183	41,005	9.54

This was in 2006. No new data is available but if the increase was consistent yearly and coupled with the increase of fossil fuel prices, then we could expect perhaps around 12% bicycle traffic. I’ve counted at least sixteen (16) LBS (local bike shops) here in Marikina. With the expected increase in bike commuters then we could also see a corresponding increase in LBS soon.

If I myself only have the capital, I would open one.

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3 Comments

kengkay on 25.05.2008 at 12:05 (Reply)

dito naman kapag spring and summer time talagang bikes and motorbikes. and nope, hindi pa rin ako ready mag bike pero i tend to walk more than drive, hindi lang dahil sa tipid sa gasolina pero dahil mas healthy sa akin at sa envt, di ba? mabuti naman at may ganyang projects sa tin

kengkays last blog post..No to 12 Steps
pixelus on 26.05.2008 at 11:44 (Reply)

Talagang ipinopromote ang bisikleta dito sa Marikina. Dito lang may maayos na bike lane although may objections ako sa ibang lanes but anyway, ang mahalaga, hindi pinababayaan ng city government ang pag-aaasikaso sa mga ito.
Cameron on 29.07.2008 at 22:00 (Reply)

Check out a nice article about fossi fuels on therelevantelephant.com

A Pinoy Biker’s Philippine Rural Adventures

Working for a Bike-Friendly Metro-Manila and Being Part of the Solution Instead of the Problem.